[ 175 ] 120 



For picking off the balls, and reeling the silk, it will require about 

 tho- same amount oi labor, for the same length of time as the last 

 mentioned period, which may all be performed by women and chil- 

 dren. The aforesaid labor and the board may be estimated at eighty 

 tlollars, spinning the silk at thirty-four dollars; forty pounds of silk, 

 at the lowest cash price, is now worth two hundred dollars — which 

 makes the following result: 



40 lbs. silk at $ 5 per pound 

 Labor and board 



Spinning _ _ _ . 



Nett profit per acre - - - ^ 64 00 



The principal part of the labor may be performed by women and 

 children. But where the business is carried on to a considerable ex- 

 tent, it is considered more profitable to employ some men for the la,st 

 period of the worms. 



An abstract and condensed view of the r-roDE or rearing 



SILKWORMS. 



Procure eggs in February and March, and choose those of a pale 

 slate, or clay color; avoid all which are yellow, as they are imperfect. 

 Keep them in a cold dry place, (where water will, however, not 

 freeze,) until the leaf-buds of the mulberry begin to swell. If the 

 <iggs be soiled, dip the paper or cloth to which they adhere, in water, 

 once or twice, to wash off the coat with which they are covered, and 

 which will impede the hatching of the worms. Drv them quickly in 

 a draught of air, and put them in one or more shallow boxes, lined 

 with paper; which place, if possible, in a small room, of the tempera- 

 ture of 64°, and keep it up to that degree for the two first days, by 

 means of a fire in the chimney, or, still better, in a brick, tile, or 

 porcelain stove; or, for want of these, in an iron stove; and use tan- 

 ners' waste-bark, turf, or charcoal, for fuel, to promote and keep up a 

 regular heat, day and night. The third day increase the heat to 66^ 

 the fourth to 6S°, the fifth to 71°, the sixth to 73°, the seventh to 75°, 

 the eighth to 77^ the ninth to 80°, the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth, to 

 «2°.* It is impossible to expect regularity in hatching, if reliance be 

 placed upon our very variable weather; and it is the regularity of the 

 worms coming forth, which will ensure their uniform growth, save 

 much trouble in feeding and attending those of various a^es, and cause 

 the whole, or the greater part, to form their cocoons at the same time, 

 provided proper care be given during their progress. 



* For the importance of a thermometer, see p. 59. 



